The Jets struggled at multiple positions in 2019, but no unit was worse than New York’s cornerbacks.
Aside from Brian Poole, who is set to hit free agency, the Jets got little to no production out of their corners throughout the season. Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts were downright awful. Bless Austin showed some flashes of potential in his rookie year, but found himself benched by season’s end. Arthur Maulet and Maurice Canady had their moments, but are not exactly proven starters that New York can rely on entering 2020.
Fortunately for Joe Douglas and the Jets, there are plenty of solid free agent cornerbacks available this offseason. Likewise, there are some he should avoid at all costs. Who are those players? Let’s take a look.
Josh Norman
Norman is on the wrong side of 30, has been declining the last couple of seasons and is a zone corner who would not fit in Gregg Williams’ man-to-man heavy scheme.
It’s clear as day why the Jets should avoid targeting Norman this offseason. He’s not the player he once was and he’s not going to magically revert to All-Pro form playing in a defensive scheme that does not match his strengths. Douglas can do much better than the 32-year-old Norman.
Jimmy Smith
Smith was once one of football’s elite cornerbacks, but he has endured a drastic fall from grace the last couple of seasons.
In 2018, Smith was suspended the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. When he returned, he was not his usual self. Things only got worse last season, as Smith played in a mere nine games with only five starts.
The Smith from a couple of years ago would have been worth the relatively hefty price tag the veteran corner will take into free agency. This version of him is simply not worth the money. Douglas and company should steer clear.
Ronald Darby
In a matter of only a couple of years, Darby has gone from a promising player with loads of potential to a below-average corner fighting for playing time.
Darby signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Eagles last offseason. The only thing he proved was that he should not be a plug and play cornerback for any team in need of one in 2020. For whatever reason, the coverage skills that made Darby a first-round pick out of Florida State have disappeared. He’s not as physical as he once was either.
Douglas might be tempted to go after some of his former players in free agency, but Darby should not be one. Frankly, you could argue he doesn’t warrant any consideration at all.
Eli Apple
On the surface, Apple is still young and has plenty of time to turn his career around following rough stints with the Giants and Saints. A deeper look at his film reveals that such a turnaround is unlikely, though.
The fact of the matter is Apple does not have what it takes to perform consistently enough to warrant any look as a starter. He gets beat by receivers who should, on paper, have no business winning a route against him. His football I.Q. also lacks from time to time, which puts him at a severe disadvantage considering where his coverage skills are at right now.
The potential might seem tantalizing, but Douglas would be making a mistake if he goes after the former first-round pick.
